Principals' Page

As we move through a busy and rewarding term, I continue to feel so proud of our Great Ryrie Community. 

This week has been a reflection of what makes our school so special.  A strong sense of support, celebration of diversity, and a shared commitment to the success and wellbeing of every student.

Whether it was the way our community showed understanding during the recent industrial action, the joy and pride on display during our Harmony Day celebrations, or the determination shown by our students throughout NAPLAN, each moment speaks to the strength of our collective partnership.

We also look forward to welcoming new staff members into our community while supporting those beginning exciting new chapters in their lives. Thank you for the way you continue to contribute to the positive culture that defines Great Ryrie Primary School.

Wonderful Support from Our School Community

The strength of our school community was clearly evident on Tuesday as our teachers took industrial action. Over 35,000 educators across Victoria participated in this significant event, the largest in more than a decade to advocate for fair pay, safer classrooms, improved resources, and manageable workloads.

Our teachers and education support staff remain deeply committed to providing the very best learning experiences for our students. Your understanding and encouragement during this time made a genuine difference. We are grateful for the way our community continues to stand alongside our educators, ensuring that Great Ryrie remains a place where students, staff, and families are valued, supported, and celebrated.

Harmony Day at Great Ryrie

We enjoyed a wonderful celebration of Harmony Day at Great Ryrie Primary School.

Students and staff made a fantastic effort to wear a touch of orange and proudly wear their cultural dress. A highlight of the day was the beautiful dance performance at assembly that reflected the rich diversity of our school community.

Please visit the LEAP page for more photographs and further highlights from this special day.

NAPLAN 2026  Well Done, Students

Our students have now completed their NAPLAN assessments for 2026, and we are proud of the effort, focus, and resilience they demonstrated throughout the testing period.

These assessments provide a snapshot of student learning in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy. They help us celebrate achievements and identify next steps for growth.

While NAPLAN is just one measure of learning, it offers valuable insights. At Great Ryrie, we remain committed to building confidence, skills, and curiosity in every learner, and we look forward to using this information to continue supporting our students to achieve their very best.

Welcome to Our New Staff

We are excited to welcome some new faces to Great Ryrie Primary School. I am pleased to introduce Mrs Field and Mrs Brine. 

Caitlin Field (Year 2)

I’m so excited to begin my journey at Great Ryrie Primary School. This is my sixth year of teaching, and I’ve recently returned from maternity leave after welcoming my first child, Patrick, into our family last year.

When I’m not teaching, I enjoy playing netball, reading, and going on adventures with my family. I’m really looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone in the Great Ryrie community next term.

Mrs Field (Caitlin)

Allyse Brine (Year 1 & 2)

Hello GRPS community. I’m Mrs Brine, and I’m excited to be teaching across Year 1 and Year 2 for the remainder of the year. You may have already seen me around the school, as I’ve been working as a CRT here over the past year.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my family at Cape Paterson, swimming, and walking along the beach. I look forward to getting to know our Great Ryrie families even better.

Mrs Brine (Allyse)

Reminder for Our School Community – Bikes & Scooters

We love seeing our students ride bikes and scooters to school. Active travel supports the environment and encourages healthy habits. To ensure everyone’s safety, please remember:

• No riding on school grounds during drop-off and pick-up times. All riders (children and adults) must dismount, just as they would at a road or crossing.
• Riding is only permitted across the oval to the big shed, or when exiting in a safe and controlled manner.
• Our school is in a busy area with limited entrances and exits, and children’s movements can be unpredictable.
• E-bikes and motorised scooters are not suitable for primary-aged students to bring to school. These should only be used under parent supervision outside of school.
• Helmets must be worn at all times when riding.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe while supporting active travel.

Ssshhh… the Stork Is Coming

Next week will be the final time we see Miss Roberts around the yard before she begins her maternity leave, with her little bundle of joy due in May. Please take a moment to wish her well.

Carly and Mrs Wright are also approaching their final week too, so there will be lots of excitement and cuddles ahead.

We will be sharing more farewells and celebrations in our Easter special edition newsletter, so stay tuned ....

Have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends 

Karen Rouda Principal

Melissa Roberts and Jean Maxwell Assistant Principals